The organization — which provides residential, employment and community support to people with disabilities — held its annual Thanksgiving luncheon, bringing together members from its multiple locations to enjoy a meal in a social setting. The group's board members and leadership team served Thanksgiving-style dishes such as turkey, green beans, mashed potatoes and cranberries.

"Hillcroft is one big family, but it's hard to get us all together," Hillcroft president and CEO Debbie Bennett said. "This is the one time of the year we can make it happen."

Bennett said this event started with the organization 25 years ago. The lunch gathered clients, staff members, community leaders and donors.

The organization touted its new music therapy program, which has doubled in size since it started two years ago. Brenda Williamson, vice president of development and marketing at Hillcroft, said the program received a $21,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County that allowed for the purchasing of instruments.

"It's been two years, and we're ready to hire our fourth music therapist," Williamson said. "That program is just going to continue to grow."

Rather than hiring someone to provide entertainment during lunch, Hillcroft utilized the talent from its clients who participated in music therapy. The performance started with three taped acts from clients who couldn't attend the luncheon, followed by a live reading of a poem and a Johnny Cash impersonator.

The event also put on an awards ceremony to acknowledge client accomplishments and staff longevity, as well as recognition of community partners — awards that were nominated by the Hillcroft staff. Anderson Community Schools earned the Community Partnership Award. Thr3e Wise Men, the restaurant connected to the downtown Courtyard by Marriott Muncie hotel with the Erskine Green Training Institute, was voted Employer of the Year.

As for future goals addressed, Hillcroft executives are still working on a consolidation project that would combine services into a central location for more of a campus feel. Bennett said the organization’s 501 Air Park Drive location has a 45,000-square-foot extension that she expects will house the maintenance and reliable transit programs currently residing at the ABA Clinic nearby on Walnut Street. This would allow for the ABA clinic to expand and solely hold autism-related programs. The clinic currently serves 27 patients, which is its capacity.

Bennett said her organization hopes to "break ground" for the plan by December 2017.

Contact Hillcroft Services

Hillcroft Services provides employment programs, residential care, therapy and other programs for people with disabilities. For more information, visit hillcroft.org or contact its 114 E. Streeter Ave. location at 765-284-4166.